Marie AK Choi, Executive MBA’s Post

🎉Congratulations to Elements Massage® franchise location in Simi Valley, CA on celebrating 10 years in business. Cheers to many more! @elementssv . WellBiz Brands, Inc. is the pre-eminent beauty, wellness & fitness franchisor. The WellBiz Brands’ portfolio has nearly 1,000 franchised locations open globally & over 300 in development and features 5 category leaders including Drybar, Amazing Lash Studio, Radiant Waxing, Elements Massage® and Fitness Together® . The Elements Massage brand is one of the fastest growing therapeutic massage franchises in the nation. With over 250 locations, Elements has been recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best Franchises and Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Companies for Customer Service. . What differentiates Elements Massage from its competitors is the customized and personalized approach to therapeutic massage. . And what makes Elements Simi Valley a standout studio is their commitment to their team, members/clients and the community. I am so HONORED & INSPIRED to have the opportunity to partner with the owner and studio manager who have built an incredible business of 900 members and a dedicated team of 20 professional massage therapists. When I asked owner Carolyn Boucher, MBA what the key to success is, she replied, “My incredible team. Every day they come to the studio and give of themselves so that others can heal. Not many businesses can say that.” . And I can relate - As someone who’s owned and operated a small business and have friends who have built companies, it takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears. It’s f’n HARD!! And it’s supposed to be hard. Anyone who says running a business is easy isn’t telling the truth. And it’s not for everyone. . But for those who take the risk, I truly believe the rewards outweigh the risks: Becoming an entrepreneur gives you the opportunity to change people’s lives. When you start a business with passion & purpose, you give yourself the chance to make a real difference for others. . Congratulations to the entire team at Elements Massage Simi Valley on reaching a phenomenal milestone. Cheers to many more. . . #business #entrepreneurship #franchising #elementsmassage #simivalley

🗣️Professional Career POV: Absolutely thrilled to be celebrating my 1-year WellBiz-aversary today! . But- what I’m really celebrating is all the amazing executive leaders, colleagues, franchise owners, managers and team members that I have the privilege of supporting and collaborating with EVERY day! Unfortunately LinkedIn only allows 9 photos in this collage layout so I couldn’t spotlight every team member. . WellBiz Brands, Inc. is one of the world’s largest health, fitness, beauty and wellness companies with nearly 1000 locations. The company manages five separate franchise brands: Drybar, Amazing Lash Studio Elements Massage®, Radiant Waxing and Fitness Together® . Franchising has become an increasingly popular business model in recent years, with more and more entrepreneurs choosing to become franchisees instead of starting their own businesses from scratch. . As a former small business owner / operator myself, I understand a lot of the challenges and sacrifices that our franchise owners have made. Succeeding in any kind of business requires resiliency. As a business owner, you will encounter inevitable challenges - that’s why it’s so important to know your WHY and one of the most essential qualities of an entrepreneur is PASSION! Passion is what drives and compels someone to grab reigns of their destiny and create the life of their dreams. . Every day I am INSPIRED by our franchisees who often have to roll up their sleeves and do the things that are uncomfortable or unfamiliar. We don’t grow in our comfort zones, right? It’s about getting comfortable doing the UNCOMFORTABLE! . And it’s that PASSION that drives entrepreneurs to overcome the discomfort or resistance in learning new things. It’s their COMMITMENT to the business, to their investment and most importantly to their TEAM. Passion is contagious. It inspires the TEAM. And that passion will spill over to guests and members. Business is all about PEOPLE. “If you don’t understand people, you don’t understand business.” ~Simon Sinek. . To say that I’m even more INSPIRED and EXCITED about our future GROWTH is an understatement. Here we GROW! . . #franchising #wellbiz #business

🥇So this just happened. WE did it. GOLD at my first tourney as a newly minted Purple Belt💜 📍Anaheim Convention Center, CA . Dominated by points and did not allow any points against me to capture GOLD in my division. . Those who know me, know I’m competitive by nature so the goal is to always live up to that challenge and perform at the best of my ability, with all of my heart, mind, and soul. . What I love most about jiu jitsu is that what I learn on the mats, especially as it pertains to my mental fortitude, is applicable to business and entrepreneurship. This mindset is applicable to my professional career as a franchise director of operations and business coach. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. Neither is jiu jitsu. Both can be a very stressful journey, but the rewards are worth it, especially if you keep at it. Entrepreneurs are constantly evolving and crafting their business; and sometimes it takes time to accept the areas of opportunities, work on them and ultimately, see the light. And just like having a coach in jiu jitsu, a business coach can be that source of light. Coaches can often see things you can’t see! . Thank you Lord for keeping me safe and for blessing me with an incredible team of Professors and teammates at One Jiu Jitsu. Although I didn’t secure any submissions, I did my best to listen to my “coaches” because I know they could see things I couldn’t. . And of course, much gratitude to @jjworldleague for hosting such amazing tournaments. Thank you to my fellow bada** jiu jitsu lady warriors for testing my skills and for sharing the mats with me. I am inspired by your strength, toughness and passion for jiu jitsu. . And last but not least, thanks to my business partners & leaders at WellBiz Brands, Inc. and LinkedIn Family for being part of my journey!! 💜 . Onto the next 😈 . #jiujitsu #bjj #purplebelt #grappling #gold #champion

✨ WellBiz Brands, Inc. Franchisee Spotlight: This month marks Elements Massage® Simi Valley, CA’s 10 Year Milestone: A Celebration of More Than 900 Members and the Incredible Team That Made It Happen! 🎉 . I had the honor and privilege of sitting down with owner Carolyn Boucher to talk about the growth of her business, one of the most successful studios in the system, and a look back over the past 10 years! . Marie: Why did you choose to invest in an Elements Massage franchise? Carolyn: When I was looking into buying a franchise, I was really impressed by the brand's focus on therapeutic massage. I also appreciate that there is a network of owners that truly support one another. I knew I wouldn't be alone in this. Mostly, I wanted to open an Elements Massage studio because of my own personal experience with a back injury and daily pain. The way in which massage helped me overcome that pain and heal from my injury were something that I wanted to share with the people in my own community. . Marie: What are your proudest moments in the past 10 years? Carolyn: One of our achievements was in not only reaching, but exceeding our goal of having 20 massage therapists and maintaining an extremely positive culture to support them. Another achievement was exceeding 900 members. A feat that seemed almost impossible when we reopened during the Covid pandemic and had lost over 33% of our member base. But what I am most proud of is my incredible team. Every day they come to the studio and give of themselves so that others can heal. Not many businesses can say that. . Marie: Recruiting and hiring Massage Therapists is challenging. How have you been able to retain therapists like Luz and Whitney who have been with you pretty much since day 1? Carolyn: When it comes to our team, we really take the time to learn about them- who they are as people. We also let them learn about us, which builds trust. Having that relationship with each individual person, like Whitney and Luz, allows us to better support and value them in the ways that they specifically need and appreciate. . Marie: Now, the important question...how are you planning to celebrate this incredible milestone? Carolyn: Party time! We will be having a one day party to celebrate and show members and the local community some appreciation! Chair massage, food, prizes, discounted massages, and a ribbon cutting with our chamber of commerce. We also provided the team with some goodies and massage freebies!

WellBiz Brands 2024 Kickoff #franchising #entrepreneurship #business📍Denver . I feel incredibly grateful and blessed to be part of such a talented, fun and inspiring team that is dedicated to supporting and making a positive impact across five (5) beauty and wellness brands in its portfolio: Drybar, Amazing Lash Studio, Radiant Waxing, Fitness Together® and Elements Massage® with nearly 900 franchise locations open globally and more than 300 in development. . WellBiz Brands, Inc. has received national recognition on lists such as the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies, Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, among others. . But… . It’s not the recognition WellBiz has received, my role as a Director of Franchise Operations or even the perks that come w/the role that attracted me to the company almost a year ago… . Rather, it’s the AUTHENTIC relationships & partnerships, UNPARALLELED experienced LEADERSHIP and most importantly & simply put - a GREAT company CULTURE.🖤 . For me, culture & teamwork is EVERYTHING. It’s where I thrive!. . “Great” culture is a culture where employees TRUST their leaders, have PRIDE in the work they do (low employee turnover), LEARN & GROW (professional development opportunities) and ENJOY the people they work with in an inclusive, COLLABORATIVE, forward-thinking and most of all, a rewarding & FUN atmosphere.🌟 . Working as team & partnership are also important to me. It not only promotes workplace synergy but allows us to feel to be closer to achieve the goals we are aiming for it - it’s all about coming together and working together to produce INCREDIBLE results. . There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to the WellBiz ELT, my colleagues & partners across all departments (Ops, Marketing, Membership, Accounting/Finance, People, Tech/Systems, Legal, HR, Training, Project Management, Learning, Development, Sales)… . and most importantly… . THANK YOU to our INCREDIBLE franchise owners & studio/salon/shop leaders who bring the brands to LIFE!! . I am GRATEFUL for where we’re at, but even more EXCITED about where we are headed. It won’t be easy but it will be WORTH it!! . . . #wellbizbrands #denver

LinkedIn Fam, Is #ThrowbackThursday even a thing anymore? 😂 Well, I’m bringing it back with this #TBT to the 2023 IBJJF QuarterFinals Open Blue Division last month in Las Vegas ! . Why am I posting this on LinkedIn? Because - I was scared asf. And in business, it’s okay to be scared. . It’s OKAY to be scared. Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave. . My opponent was the Heavyweight Blue belt champion. She was about 40lbs heavier than me. As you can see - straight out of the gate - she rushed out at me. . My heart began to race. My anxiety was triggered. . Who purposely puts themselves into scary & anxiety triggering situations? . Me 🙋🏻♀️ LOL . As crazy as it sounds… that’s what I love about competing in Jiu Jitsu. But it isn’t for everyone. Competition forces you to overcome mental & physical obstacles. It’s about maneuvering your opponents & putting them into certain positions so you can take advantage of them. This is how you improve problem solving skills which are applicable to owning / operating a BUSINESSS or anything in LIFE. . While many, like me, have a burning desire to compete (I’m competitive by nature and love challenges), others shy away from the intensity & pressure. And that’s OK. At the end of the day, the journey is different for everyone & that’s what makes JiuJitsu so special. It’s a community made up of people from all walks of life who come together to become better versions of themselves. . When I watch the video, I’m still amazed how I managed to keep my composure & stay focused - those who know me, this is something I work to improve - in life & on the mats. There was a reason why my Muay Thai fight name was, “The Angry Korean.” We sure have come a long way! 🙃 . I subbed my opponent via RNC. I was in disbelief & needed a moment😅 . Why? . Years ago I found myself in a scary situation. The incident prompted me to commit to my Jiu Jitsu journey. I had always wanted to secure an RNC submission in competition since the incident. It was a personal goal of mine & WE did it. . Whatever it is in life - having a strong WHY is critical. It’s what will motivate you, give you PURPOSE and be more FULFILLED. . Whatever it is - business, career, professional, personal goals in life - take the time to ask yourself WHY. And just do it. Do it scared!! . . . #nogi #jiujitsu

Last weekend I competed in the 2023 International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation NoGi WORLDS in Las Vegas. It is considered the most prestigious tournament in Jiu Jitsu. . Why am I sharing this on LinkedIn? Because so much of what I learn on the mats can applied to business and LIFE. . 🥈🥉WE did it!! I’d be lying if I didn’t say that my heart was set on being a world champ, but I couldn’t be more proud of my performances. Secured 2 submissions: an armbar & RNC. We captured Silver in the Blue Belt Light Division & Bronze in the Open Division (all with a broken thumb - I broke my thumb in training a few weeks ago - sooo crazzzy)! . For those who aren’t familiar with Open Division in Jiu Jitsu, it’s an open weight division that pits competitors against each other regardless of weight class. . Competing in Open always made me nervous because I’m a “light” competitor which means I could be pitted against opponents who could be as much as 50+ pounds heavier. . Those who know me, know I love challenges so I entered the Open Bracket and was pitted against the Heavyweight Champ. She was 40-50 pounds heavier. . I was deathly scared. . She came out rushing like a bull. But I maintained composure. I subbed her via RNC. I was in disbelief. I had been wanting to secure this sub for years. It was a personal goal of mine and I achieved it. This supersedes any medal or accomplishment in life. . The biggest takeaway from this tournament was the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone. I was scared to get hurt; I was scared of the unknown. But I’m so glad I took that step! In life, it is fear that stops us from doing nearly everything including owning a business. . Being an entrepreneur, franchisee, or business owner is HARD; it’s not for everybody. Neither is jiu jitsu. . When I train Jiu Jitsu, I have no idea what I’ll be up against. I have to show up with a adaptable mindset, ready to handle the unknown. Similarly, the same can be said for owning and running a business. Trust me, I get it! I co-owned and operated a small business for a decade. You need to be tenacious and show up ready to learn. More often than not, it means being committed and humble to learning things over and over again. Progress is nonstop hard work. Sometimes you need to work when you don’t feel like it. You need to keep with it even when you feel like you’re getting worse. If you put in the work and dedication - CONSISTENTLY, you will succeed. . Both require lots of grit & determination. They both hurt sometimes and can even be terrifying. But SUCCESS in Jiu Jitsu and business will tell you that you are UNSTOPPABLE!!! . None of this would have been possible without my team: my professors and teammates at One Jiu Jitsu, to all my leaders & business partners at WellBiz Brands, Inc. for always cheering me on, and to my friends & family for the love and support!! . . #entrepreneurship #franchising #business

Back to the Basics: How the power of collaboration and local grassroots marketing can transform your business! ✨Drybar 💛One Paseo Del Mar Shop X Jule Lip Gloss X TheRealReal Collab Extravaganza! . In this day and age, we all know how critical digital marketing is to our overall marketing strategy. But local grassroots marketing is still a great way to grow your business. . As a former decade-long co-owner of a successful small business and in my current professional role as a business coach/director of operations for WellBiz Brands, Inc. one the largest health, beauty and wellness brands in the world (900+ franchise locations), I can tell you firsthand how important local grassroots marketing efforts are in order to deliver your core message to your niche target audience. . But honestly - the reason why I love this holistic marketing approach is that it focuses on building relationships with customers and leveraging those relationships to promote your business, rather than simply trying to sell them a product or service. Business is all about people. It’s about building connections and relationships. Local businesses need to stick together. The more they support one another, the more successful everyone becomes. . And One Paseo Del Mar drybarshop always crushes it when it comes to local grassroots marketing. They know how to bring the core values of the brand to LIFE!!! 💛 . Just want to THANK One Paseo Del Mar drybarshop’s owner Marie Green and her incredible team for inviting me to their drybar X JuleLipGloss X TheRealReal extravaganza. The heart and soul of drybar is always palpable every time I step foot in this shop!! What a FUN way to bring the community together by celebrating the holiday season with raffles, giveaways, photo booth, blowouts, drybar products, Melograno Cocktails and Prince Street Pizza. . If you’re a small business owner, I hope this inspires you to get out there and make a splash!

Thank you so much to “Shoutout SoCal” for the spotlight! #grateful WellBiz Brands, Inc. https://lnkd.in/gvnCZ-ys